SEMA Concepts
Hyundai is well known for building high-quality, high-value passenger cars and crossovers, so it’s always fun to attend the Specialty Equipment Market Association show and see these vehicles after they’ve undergone an extreme makeover. The Korean automaker brought four vehicles to Las Vegas for this year’s SEMA automotive aftermarket trade show: an Ionic, Elantra Sport, Tucson and Santa Fe Sport. Each received special attention from four different automotive tuners. Look at what they came up with.
BTR Edition Elantra Sport Concept
Hyundai once again partnered with Blood Type Racing to create a head-turning SEMA concept. BTR started with a standard Elantra Sport and added a larger APC GTC-200 rear spoiler, Aerotek aero kit, Diode Dynamics custom headlights, SSR GTX01 19-inch wheels with Toyo T1 Sport tires, and special AutoArt paint and bodywork.
Not Just a Pretty Face
More than simply a flashy Elantra Sport, the BTR Edition also features a Fella Big Brake Kit; an HSD coilover suspension; Pierce Motorsports sway bars, strut tower brace and chassis brace; a Devil’s Own water/methanol injection system; a Torcon CAI intake; a Pierce Motorsports exhaust system; and custom ECU engine management tuning by BTR.
Everyday Performance
“The BTR Edition Elantra Sport takes the Elantra beyond its capable OEM-development roots without sacrificing daily drivability,” said Sam Lee, product manager at Blood Type Racing. “Building upon the well-developed Elantra Sport platform, powertrain and design fundamentals, we’ve given enthusiasts a new vision of where this affordable sport compact wants to go.”
Vaccar Tucson Sport Concept
Clearly not your everyday Hyundai Tucson, this unique Vaccar-built version combines standout styling with impressive performance to create a very special crossover. Not only is the Vaccar Tucson covered in beautiful two-tone blue and silver paint, it gets a power bump from a Boostec turbocharger with an AEM air intake system and Magnaflow Performance Mufflers. Inside is Katzin Ice-Gray leather seating, as well as a high-end audio system and an Android-powered multimedia system.
Exploring the Possibilities
“The Vaccar Tucson Sport Concept takes the Tucson far beyond its OEM roots without sacrificing reliability,” said Aaron Vaccar, President of Vaccar. “By building upon the well-developed Tucson platform, powertrain and design, we’ve given enthusiasts a vision of just where this affordable crossover aspires to go.”
Bisimoto HyperEconiq Ioniq Concept
California-based Bisimoto engineering has a long history of working with Hyundai to build some extreme and powerful vehicles for SEMA, including last year’s 1000-horsepower Santa-Fast Concept. So it was a bit of a surprise that this year’s Bisimoto concept was based on the fuel-efficient hybrid-powered Hyundai Ioniq. And instead of going for huge horsepower, the tuner company created a concept that makes the Ioniq even more efficient.
Impressive Efficiency
The HyperEconiq Ioniq is equipped with low-resistance tires, low-friction synthetic motor oil, a Bisimoto pulse-chamber exhaust system for enhanced volumetric efficiency, and an aero kit that includes rear-wheel covers and enhanced e-generators. Bisimoto claims this unique Ioniq can achieve better than 80 mpg.
Economical Performance
“The HyperEconiq Ioniq takes the Ioniq where we always knew it could go, without sacrificing drivability,” said Bisi Ezerioha, president of Bisimoto Engineering. “Leveraging the outstanding Ioniq electrified platform and powertrain, we’ve focused on a variety of technical elements to bring efficiency, aero and design to the highest level.”
Rockstar Energy Moab Extreme Off-Roader Santa Fe Sport Concept
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is a great crossover, but not a vehicle typically thought of as a straight-up off-road SUV. Quite clearly this is not a typical Sante Fe Sport. Fitted with a raised suspension and big Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ off-road tires — as well as skidplates and an integrated Warn winch — this Santa Fe Sport is designed to handle the tough terrain in Moab, Utah. A bonus feature is the roof-mounted Cascadia Bachelor Summit tent.
Proper Off-Roader
“The Rockstar Energy Moab Extreme Concept was specifically designed to withstand the extraordinary demands of Moab off-road terrain,” said Nic Ashby of Rockstar Marketing. “Leveraging the outstanding Santa Fe Sport platform and powertrain, we definitely pushed its capabilities to new limits to conquer the pinnacle of challenges at Moab.”
